😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $734 in Maracaibo versus $707 in Acarigua.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,244 in Maracaibo versus $1,238 in Acarigua.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,754 in Maracaibo versus $1,769 in Acarigua.
😐Living in Maracaibo is roughly 4% more expensive than Acarigua, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Maracaibo45% lower, Acarigua47% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Maracaibo
Acarigua
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.37VES 5,777
$12.10VES 6,740
-14.30%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$39.97VES 22.3K
$54.7VES 30.5K
-26.89%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.82VES 4,915
$9.99VES 5,565
-11.71%
Cappuccino
$2.65VES 1,476
$2.64VES 1,472
0.38%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.20VES 671
$1.27VES 707
-5.51%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.30VES 724
$0.97VES 540
34.02%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.32VES 1,290
$1.48VES 825
56.76%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.95VES 1,643
$2.97VES 1,656
-0.67%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Maracaibo
Acarigua
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.79VES 996
$1.86VES 1,038
-3.76%
White Bread(500g)
$1.94VES 1,080
$2.67VES 1,488
-27.34%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.09VES 607
$1.45VES 808
-24.83%
Eggs
$3.19VES 1,775
$2.86VES 1,595
11.54%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.95VES 3,318
$9.70VES 5,403
-38.66%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.39VES 3,003
$7.38VES 4,115
-26.96%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.08VES 3,386
$7.48VES 4,167
-18.72%
Apples(1kg)
$4.51VES 2,513
$5.33VES 2,970
-15.38%
Banana(1kg)
$1.38VES 769
$1.80VES 1,002
-23.33%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.71VES 954
$2.27VES 1,265
-24.67%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.47VES 820
$2.02VES 1,125
-27.23%
Potato(1kg)
$1.16VES 649
$2.69VES 1,497
-56.88%
Onion(1kg)
$1.62VES 905
$2.09VES 1,162
-22.49%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.01VES 564
$1.34VES 749
-24.63%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.60VES 889
$1.89VES 1,054
-15.34%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.43VES 1,914
$3.95VES 2,199
-13.16%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.97VES 4,997
$11.17VES 6,226
-19.70%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.06VES 591
$1.52VES 848
-30.26%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64VES 1,473
$2.02VES 1,125
30.69%
🚌 Getting Around
Maracaibo
Acarigua
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.51VES 287
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$41.83VES 23.3K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.11VES 2,290
$5.08VES 2,828
-19.09%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.95VES 1,087
$2.67VES 1,489
-26.97%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$17.77VES 9,900
$10.03VES 5,586
77.17%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.48VES 269
$0.48VES 269
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.2KVES 12.4M
$25.1KVES 14.0M
-11.57%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.0KVES 17.3M
$40.0KVES 22.3M
-22.50%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Maracaibo
Acarigua
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$16.22VES 9,038
$20.43VES 11.4K
-20.61%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.02VES 5,028
$13.22VES 7,367
-31.77%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.85VES 14.4K
$39.56VES 22.0K
-34.66%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Maracaibo
Acarigua
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$34.34VES 19.1K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.43VES 13.1K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.04VES 2,807
$5.86VES 3,266
-13.99%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Maracaibo
Acarigua
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$112VES 62.5K
$132VES 73.3K
-14.74%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.9KVES 7.8M
$5,504VES 3.1M
152.88%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Maracaibo
Acarigua
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.75VES 23.3K
$63.0VES 35.1K
-33.72%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.17VES 23.5K
$38.73VES 21.6K
8.88%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$57.8VES 32.2K
$104VES 57.7K
-44.14%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$60.3VES 33.6K
$116VES 64.8K
-48.12%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Maracaibo
Acarigua
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$180VES 100.5K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$101VES 56.0K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$330VES 183.7K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$209VES 116.6K
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$759VES 423.0K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$502VES 279.5K
$638VES 355.5K
-21.37%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Maracaibo
Acarigua
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$196VES 109.5K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
26.6
21.33
24.71%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Maracaibo: May 31, 2026
Last update for Acarigua: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒Dining out: $40.00 in Maracaibo vs $55.0 in Acarigua for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $221 vs $282 per month, with Maracaibo cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Maracaibo vs Acarigua: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Acarigua cheaper than Maracaibo?
Acarigua is cheaper overall, especially in Getting Around, Sport & Entertainment. The 4% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,101 in Maracaibo and $1,061 in Acarigua to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do food prices compare in Maracaibo and Acarigua?
Shoppers in Maracaibo pay roughly 28% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
What are total monthly expenses in Maracaibo vs Acarigua?
All in, you'll spend $734 per month in Maracaibo versus $707 in Acarigua – a 4% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,000 enough for either Maracaibo or Acarigua?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Acarigua gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is it better to live in Maracaibo or Acarigua?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Acarigua gentler on the wallet – expenses run 4% less than in Maracaibo. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.